Transfer Centre

Inter Milan refuse to budge on Lautaro Martinez price amid Barcelona interest

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 28 May 2020

Inter Milan refuse to budge on Martinez asking price

Inter Milan director Piero Ausilio insists that the club have no intention of selling Barcelona target Lautaro Martinez for anything below his £99.7m release clause.

Inter Milan sporting director Piero Ausilio has insisted that Lautaro Martinez will not be allowed to leave the club this summer unless his release clause is triggered.

Barcelona are understood to have identified the Argentine as their number one target as a long-term replacement for Luis Suarez, but are struggling to raise funds for his signature due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Martinez has a release clause of €111m (£99.7m) in his contract at San Siro, but Ausilio has insisted that the club have no intention of selling unless they are forced to.

"As far as Martinez is concerned, there is only one way that can take him away from Inter and that is by paying a clause," Ausilio told Sky Sports News.

"Many clubs have contacted us about Lautaro. Among these, the most determined one, with which we have a friendly and cordial relationship, is Barcelona. I don't hide this.

"And I know that Barcelona knows perfectly well what our intentions are; Inter have no intention of selling Lautaro Martinez. Then I repeat; there is a clause."

The 22-year-old has scored 16 goals and assisted four more in 31 outings across all competitions this season.